Tuesday, 2 August 2011

A/W 11 forecast.

So our favourite high street brands have decided to start letting us look at previews of their own A/W11 collections. personally this time of the year is my favourite and i really cannot wait to get stuck into getting new pieces and keeping toastie in the bad weather i know will be coming.

Last year knitted clothing was one of the biggest trends, mix this with faux fur and you have your wardrobe sorted for the whole of winter, and if you too are in the UK, your spring was sorted aswell!I mentioned a few weeks back about topshop and its new mod collection, this being the front image of topshop for autumn with its boyish charm and retro lookalikes. so after a few hours of searching and going through website after website i think i can safely come up with a forecast for the next AW/11.

Knitwear This is very much at the heart of A/W collections, they go with almost anything, look casual or dressed up and keep you warm in the cold weather. however this year novelty knits are very big in the shops, and it seems that the girlier the better, jumpers and cardis with dogs, cats and bunnies will be hitting the shops faster than you could say well.... dogs cats and bunnies. (personally im waiting for a horse knit jumper) however, personally i dont like this whole kitsch design, i think it looks a little childish, i just couldnt imagine a bunch of 20 something year olds walking around in jumpers with dog faces on!

New mod (boyish) Boxy blazers, ties, shirts and skinny jeans. mix all of this with grey shades, dogtooth, animal print and high wedges or boy like shoes and youve made the new mod collection. the girls take on the past ages mens fashion that lasted well into the 80s. There are some areas of this style i like, but the concept, a little mixed. however i can imagine some of the statement pieces in this collection (hosted mainly by topshop) will keep you warm in the winter. Get your vespas out girls!

Pencil skirts This kind of skirt hasnt exactly been a favourite of mine, because im shorter, but the retro glam pencil is back, teamed this year with high wedge boots, tucked in jumpers and shirts, add a tie or accessories and youve landed yet another statement back to the past style. the most common appearance from these will be faux leather and bold colours, which is very much another trend this season. the block colour reign continues.

Ankle grazer trousers This is another new style for A/W11, the ankle grazers have come back, with bold patterns, colours, floral patterns and ditsy prints, add some brogues, vintage tops or jumpers, scarves and some cute socks and youre wearing the "just above the ankle" style. I still cant see what the fascination is with looking like youve shrunk youre trousers though...

Fur coats Well, faux fur coats. These were massive last year, a bit like the sudden take off of quilted country jackets. Theyre back this year a little different than we remember. The faux fur jacket was massive in the 80s, they were brought back in natural colours, and animal prints, much like the 80s designs we once had. However, the newer style involved shaggy fur, bright colours like hot pink and geometric designs.

Quilted Jackets (the quilty coat) Barbour must have made a mint last christmas. The old equestrian jackets got re vamped and suddenly everyone wanted a piece of this country style, the prices hiked up and they sold out left right and centre. Topshop sold out, River island sold out, everywhere online sold out. Theyre back for another year, but being honest unless something changes with the design and the styling/colours, i dont think the rush will be so mad this year, after all, everyone got one last season right?

Boot wedges These have been around for the past few years, i still am yet to invest in some myself, however the newer styles are bright colours, neon in some cases and majority are animal prints. If you dont make a statement this year with your clothes, some leopard print wedges are guaranteed to set you up for the season.

Alright ill admit, i could be a lot more extensive, however these are the statement areas for casual A/W style ive picked up on so far. block colour and bold patterns are very much still going to be around, but the new knit, mod, boyish, ankle grazer, fur style is going to dominate the shops this season coming. As for myself, ill still be wearing my country style, being from an equestian background, my h&m blazer will be well worn with knit jumpers, cuddly scarves, high waisted shorts and knitted woollen tights. with my wedges.